Federal Government has launched the much awaited National Diaspora Policy that will effectively promote and harness the resources and capacity of Nigerians in the Diaspora for the growth and development of Nigeria has been launched in Abuja.The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, who launched the policy yesterday at the Third Summit of the States Diaspora Focal Point Officers and Standing Committee on Diaspora Matters in Abuja, explained that the NDP would engage, enable and empower Nigerians in the Diaspora as change agents for the development of their homeland.

According to him,  the Federal Executive Council, adopted, ratified and approved the National Diaspora Policy, as a Legal framework based on the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) which provides for the human rights of all Nigerians, dual citizenship and allows for Nigerians to enjoy all the benefits of citizenship.

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For its part, the Nigerian Legislature had pledged its total support and commitment to rolling out pro-diaspora legislations that will engage Nigerians in the Diaspora for sustainable national development.

Representing the Legislature,  the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora, Civil Societies and NGOs, Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, who was represented by Senator Abba Moro said and the Chairman House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe also commended NIDCOM for the Launch of the National Diaspora Policy as well as holding the Third Summit of States Diaspora Focal Point Officers and Standing Committee on Diaspora.

Earlier, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NDC), Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the financial and technical support of the European Union and the International Organisation for Migration in the development of the NDP.

Dabiri-Erewa assured that the commission would ensure that an enabling environment is provided for exchange of ideas that would encourage synergies and collaboration among State Diaspora Focal Point Officers to harness the potentials of Nigerian Diaspora for national development.